Bandito Pet Sitting

08/30/2025

When we know better, we do better ❤️‍🩹

I'm sorry, Bandit.

Bandit was my first dog as an adult, long before I was trainer and I admit, I knew nothing, like most people with their first dog. I was not a trainer, was a 20-something year old kid and did all the wrong things, because I didn't know any better.

This is why I can relate to people who may have fallen victim to promises of quick fixes or using aversive tools. People just don't know better and they trust who they the professionals are. I know I did.

And, times were different then.

There was no cooperative care movement to teach animals to participate in and consent to vet and grooming procedures. Thankfully, many people have learned better now and gone (mostly) are the days of forcefully restraining animals, pinning them down thrashing, defensively trying to bite or surrendering and urinating all over themselves to "get it done."

This happened to the first dog I ever owned, 20+ years ago, Bandit. We took him to the vet to have his nails trimmed. He did not want his nails trimmed so the vet instructed five people, including myself, to hold him down while she quickly tried to clip his nails.

I didn't know any better. I didn't know to advocate for him. I didn't know there was a better way. I didn't know medication was an option or that dogs could be taught to like having their feet touched and nails done. I just didn't know, and nobody told me.

Bandit was 130 pounds, aggressive and muzzled, and after about 5 minutes of very forceful restraint on the floor, he eventually stopped snarling and struggling and just peed all over himself.

I'm still traumatized by that incident just writing this this. I can't even imagine how scared he was. He's been gone for over 15 years but I'm still so very sorry he had to experience that.

So, I'm sorry, Bandit. I know better now, so I do better. And I teach others to do better.

Read about cooperative nail trims here. With the right training, it doesn't have to be a struggle.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2021/02/01/cooperativecarenailtrim/

08/29/2025

08/27/2025

🙃🙃🙃

08/27/2025

Post walk cuddle sesh 🥰

08/26/2025

Sniffari at forge pond ☀️ 🐾

08/26/2025

☀️ 🐾

08/26/2025

The babes 🥰

08/25/2025

Yup...you can be teaching your dog to ignore you.
No one likes to be nagged.
We are just so impatient!
Give them time.
Let them actually process what you have said before you say it again.
Bite your tongue a bit before you repeat, it helps.
Count to 4 (in your head).
After you ask....take a breath....watch what happens.🏆

We slip into these bad habits and they do require recognition from us that we have actually fallen into them.
So easily done and it starts as early as those first few days at home when they're pups.

Say it once?
No.
You may need to repeat especially if there are distractions, temptations or they are struggling with focus....but even then, don't get into the habit of nagging.

You will turn yourself into background noise.

08/24/2025

If you don’t physically exhaust them… they just won’t stop.
Whoa there.
Let’s look at the bigger picture.... not just a quick “fix” for today.

I get it, I really do.
Running them longer..... throwing the frisbee for another 10 minutes, chucking that ball again and again, because if you don’t, they’ll pace, whine and struggle to settle.

Here’s the tough question.
Is it helping your dog… or just creating a cycle where they crave more and more?

Their stamina climbs higher.
Their demands increase.
Their adrenaline is off the charts.

Then "suddenly" the amount of exercise you need to give them is unsustainable .
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to “satisfy” them.

What's the solution?
Do less… but carefully.
Reduce that high energy exercise, while adding enrichment in its place.

Low arousal activities that tire them in a different way:

Scatter feeding
Scent walks
Enrichment games
Puzzle toys

Still not convinced?
Try it.... really try it , for a few weeks.

You’ll never look at “tiring them out” the same way again.

08/21/2025

Update: Applications are closed for Bella! She got many!! If you were thinking of applying, please consider one of our other wonderful dogs: www.PawsNewEngland.com/adopt

—-

Hi, I’m Bella. My parents are getting divorced, and now I need a new home. I don’t totally get it. I mean, I’ve been with my family since I was 12 weeks old… and suddenly I’m back in the adoption pool. Was it me? Did I hog the couch? Snore too loud? Divorce just… sucks.

Here’s what I do know: the second half of my life is going to be amazing, and I can’t wait to meet the family who will make it so.

About me:
🐾 I’m 7 years young — still playful, but also an expert napper and professional cuddler.
🐾 I get along great with other dogs and love meeting new people.
🐾 I walk beautifully on a leash, I’m house-trained, and I know my commands (treats = instant motivation).
🐾 I love car rides and fooooooood

Basically, I’m the perfect mix of energy, smarts, and affection. Divorce may have ended my first chapter, but I’m ready to start my best one yet.

I’m fostering in New England and would love to meet you!!

Bella Aria: https://pawsnewengland.com/adopt/pet/?id=7643

08/21/2025

With all of my learning I’ve done over the years, I stopped utilizing prong collars/ecollars a few years ago. I never liked using them to begin with but I would use what owners provided me with. After learning more about HOW they work, the effects of prolonged use and canine behavior in general I will never use them on any dog I work with moving forward and I will work hard to educate owners on the better ways to communicate with their dogs. 🐾

Since I’ve relocated over the pond 🇺🇸 , I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume of prong and electric collars around.

Virtually every other dog wears them (frequently both at the same time). Even service dogs 😟

🫥You see them not just in every pet shop (even those which describe themselves as holistic), but also in every supermarket.

🫥It’s official- abuse has been normalised.

But let me make it clear ➡️ just because you see it everywhere, doesn’t make it right. Just because the description says they are “humane” ➡️ they are NOT !! How can they be ???? Just stop for a minute and think how they actually work !!

🫥Ignorance is not an excuse to mistreat or harm animals.

💡There is no humane, kind way to use an electric or prong collar. They ARE designed to cause pain and discomfort (also fear and anxiety), and they do. There is no “correct” way of using them, which doesn’t cause pain / discomfort, unless you simply don’t use them. A torture equipment doesn’t work unless it harms. And these are exactly that. They are torture tools for dogs. And for what??? Human convenience.

😕We must do better by dogs. We owe them that much. They deserve better from us.